MR J. C. WILLIAMSON INTERVIEWED. THE COMING SEASON. Auckland, September 1. PARLIAMENTARY. Wellington, August 31.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 296, 5 September 1888, Page 5

MR J. C. WILLIAMSON INTERVIEWED.

THE COMING SEASON. Auckland, September 1.

PARLIAMENTARY. Wellington, August 31.

Mr J. C. WilJjl vaisov, who is at present in Sydney with the London Gaiety Company was interviewed by a member of the press the other day. Mr Williamson was asked : "Have you any plans for New Zealand ?'' "Not just at present; though our previous trips with opera to that colony have been eminently successful, and it is likely we will send an opera company ovei there during the coming summer. It is not improbable that we shall form a No. 2 opera company in which we will give opportunities to some of the younger and most promising members of the Australian lyric stage who have developed under our management. Some of our young ladies have shown great talent, and only require an opportunity. This Gaiety Company, will do a lot towards teaching the young idea, as Nellie JTarren and Fred Leslie are true comedians. The lady has bits of pathos peeping out here and there in any comedy she may be playing — ' a touch of nature,' as it were — which are irresistibly attractive and fully explain ho>v she lias held her place and reigned triumphant as comedy's queen so long, and w ithout anyone being able to depose her from hei throne in the hearts of the people." •' And now to turn our attention to the future, Mr Williamson. What novelties have your firm in store for u= ?" '• Well, we have some splendid new plays and operas comiug on within the next year. In Melbourne we shortly produce Mr Barnes of Nev: York, and that is fresh enough in all conscience. Following that we will have Mr C. Warner, in a new and poweiful drama by Henry Pettit, written expreesly for Mr Warner, and entitled Hands Across Ihe <S'm. Mr Musgrove, myself, and others who have heard it read, agree in saying that it is the best drama Pettit evei penned. Then, in rapid buccession, we shall have The Bell* of lla\elmere, which has run for a year at the Adelphi, and aftor that will come The Foint^man, Dandy J)idc, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, and several other dramas and comedies, all new and good." "So much tor the drama. Now, how are you going to treat us with legaid to opera ?" " Well, in that line, al&o, we are well prepared for next year. Wo will have a new opera by Cellier, a new one by Gilbert and Sullivan, and the new comic opera ' Pepita,' which Mr Musgrove describes as tne best of modern productions. It has been a huge success in the English provinces, and is now about being produced in London. Besides these, we have lots more new operas, so that in music and the drama we are quite prepared for a (year or more ahead." " And 1 suppose you will introduce some new talent to us along with the new pieces ?" " Yes. We are in negotiation with several ' stars ' and combinations for an Australian tour. Some who have hitherto held off, nob having sufficient confidence in Australia to believe it would pay, will now, since the success of the Gaiety Company, be only too willing to come out. I feel assured that this big success will lead other good combinations and actors, both English and American, to visit Australia, while it will encourage us to launch out even more than we have hitherto done in the effort to satisfy the requirements of our patrons, the Australian public, though we have never hesitated at expense heretofore. We see that good things, even if expensive, will pay, and in future we will try to bring out the best of its kind and keep faith with the public, as has been our rule all through our career as theatrical managers." "Evening Star."

Something like trades-union severity ! In China a man who transgsessed by taking more than one apprentice was condemned to be bitten to death. One hundred and twenty three mon had a bite at him betore he expired.

THE LAST SCENE OF ALL. Tine closing: scene of a wearisome session, ex. tending over sixteen weeks, was enacted yes* terday afternoon, when the House specialty met to receive the Governor's assent to a number of Bills. It is satisfactory to note that His Excellency did not find it necessary toreservea&inglemeasureforthesignification of Her Majesty's pleasure. On the Premier formally moving that the House do adjourn for a week, Mr Hobbs and a few others called for a division, with a view to having recorded the names of those hon. members who remained at the post of duty till all the business was finally dispo&ed of, but Sir M. O'Jlorke declared "the ayes have it," and refused to allow a division to be taken. It may be worth mentioning that thirtyone members were present at the final sitting.

THE PROTECTIONIST BANQUET. It will be remembered that when the monster Protectionist banquet was held in this city a fortnight ago, it was mooted that the promoters boasted that as the fea&t would consist ot New Zealand products only, and as eatables had been promised from all parts .ot the colony, no expense would be incurred in the demonstration which was intended to celebrate the great Protectionist victory. Freetraders will learn with some satisfaction that those getting up the banquet have found it necessary to canvass for subscriptions towards liquidating the expenses incurred. Two prominent members of the Protectionist party have being going round with the hat among their fellow members, and a goodly sum was collected in this way.

COMPLIMENTARY. After the Hou&e had finally risen yesterday afternoon the members of the press gallery met and pa&sed votes of thanks to the officers of the House, to the officers in charge of telegraphs here, the operators and the counter clerks at the Parliamentary bureau. I have much pleasure in adding my word of praise to the hard-worked and unfortunately under-paid operators for the excellent manner in which the press messages have been sent by them during the session, and to the other subordinates for their uniform courtesy and attention.

BONUSES TO INDUSTRIES. The honour of putting the last question to Ministers fell to Mr Barron yesterday afternoon. The hon. gentleman asked the Premier whether he proposed to do anything to compensate iron industries such as that of Smellie Bros, at Burnside, for the lo&fe they had sustained by the passing of the tariff. These industries, he said, had been established under free trade conditions, and while the tariff of this session gave them no protection it had placed them at a disadvantage by increasing the cost of production. The Premier had, he understood, undertaken to consider the case and see if it could be met by a bonus, and he now desired to ascertain what the Government had done and what they proposed to do in the matter. The Premier replied that the matter had been brought under his notice, and that he had given it consideration. The iron, the milk, and probably other industries were apparently deserving of encouragement by means of a bonus. The Government had intended to submit proposals to the House on the subject, but they had been so pressed with business as to be unable to do so. They would make inquiries during the recess and if they were satisfied that it was desirable to encourage these industries by bonus they would make proposals to the House next session.

NATIVE DEPUTATION TO THE GOVERNOR. Twenty-five native chiefs, accompanied by Sydney Taiwhanga, waited on the Governor at 12.30 yesterday at Government House— the Native Minister and Colonial Secretary being present — tor the purpose of protesting against the four native Bills recently passed. Paora Tuahaera and Major Kemp acted as spokesmen, and pointed out how, in times past the Treaty of Waitangi had been set aside, and that many of the clauses in the Native Land Bills just passed would injure the natives. Major Kemp laid particular stress on the question of mortgages, which he said had been legalised by a clause in one of the bills. They asked the Governor to withhold his assent to the measiucs until they had time to raemorali&e the Queen. His "Excellency explained that", under Responsible Government he could not, in the ordinary course of business, refute his assent. The only thing he could do was to forward any memorial they might like to Her Majesty, in which case he was quite sure the matter would be referred back te the New Zealand Government. Moreover, he might say that in hih opinion at least one half ("lie natives in New Zealand were in favour of the Bills being passed, and he thought they would bring prosperity to the natives' colony generally. He then expressed his gratification at having met the native chiefs. He was glad to hear the expressions of loyalty which many of them had used, several of them being distinguished chiefs, who had rendered most valuable service during the Maori war. Mr Mitchelson&aid that the objectionable clause about mortgagee had been struck out in the Legislative Council. .Sonic of the natives then said they would present a petition to the Governor to be forwarded to the Queen on the following day.

THE TIiUNK RAILWAY LOAN. The Premier has undertaken to inquire during the recess whether the cost of snagging the Wanganui Kiver, bringing punts and executing certain road works, was rightfully chai'ged to the North Island trunk railway loan. He cannot, however, see any way of making the trunk railway loan right at the expense of the other loans, for two wrongs would not make a right. The only way is that of raising another loan, and when the time comes for doing that the matter may be set right.

THE MARITIME GRIEVANCE. Attention has been called by Mr Bruce to the fact that the services of a second officer on our coastal trade do not count as " officer's services," thus pi'ecluding his eligibility for examination as mate, and the Government have been asked whether they will so alter and amend the law as to remove this injustice to the seamen of New Zealand merchant service. As the question is one of legal interpretation, the Minister for Marino has promised to obtain the (Solicitor-General's opinion on the subject.